CR Kennedy launched the DJI Matrice 200 commercial drone series at the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club last week, with a presentation and live demonstration of industrial applications.
A shot from the DJI Matrice 200 series launch. (Source: CR Kennedy)
Jan Gasparic, DJI’s global head of enterprise partnerships, ran a presentation demonstrating the benefits of the Matrice 200 and 210, particularly the potential offered to search and rescue operators.
Bryan Liu and Regina Lin from DJI were also among the 85 guests from various industries in attendance.
A live flying demonstration was conducted over the road from the launch venue by National Drones, using the Matrice 210 carrying two cameras – the Zenmuse z30 zoom and XT Thermal cameras. This footage was projected onto a monitor in the presentation space, so the audience could see the thermal and zoom images.
A ‘search and rescue’ and power line inspection was played out, to show guests first hand how the drone can be used in action.
The Matrice 210 can carry two separate cameras.
The rugged Matrice 200 and 210 drones aren’t consumer toys. They are engineered for industrial purposes, and demonstrate DJI’s commitment to developing products for the commercial drone market.
‘The long-term growth of the (drone) industry is around commercial applications,’ Gasparic told The Australian, highlighting a Goldman Sachs study which speculates the commercial drone market to be worth over US$100 billion.
The Matrice 200 and 210 drones are dust and weather resistant – meaning they can be flown in the rain – and have dual ‘inertial measurement units’ which monitor stability in wind affected conditions.
The quadcopters have a dual battery system, providing a maximum flight time of 38 minutes. If a battery fails, the other kicks in to keep the machine in flight.
The feature which make the 210 drone an industrial machine is its three gimbals – two on the bottom and one on top. The drone holds a maximum of two cameras, meaning the user can either place two on the bottom on one on the top and bottom.
The top and bottom camera combination is ideal for inspecting bridges, wind turbines, telecom towers, power lines, and so on.
The Matrice 200 in action inspecting wind turbines.
Dual cameras on the bottom can fit a zoom and thermal camera, ideal for safety and human interest applications including search and rescue, policing, crime scene investigation, natural disaster relief.
Additionally, the drone will appeal to operators in construction site mapping, and land and agricultural surveying.
Like most DJI drones, the Matrice 200 series are easy to fly and packed with safety features, including upward, downward and forward facing sensors to prevent collisions.
The Matrice 200 series are relatively heavy, exceeding 2KG, so a CASA RPA Operator Certificate is required to fly the drone in public places. Private landholders can fly the drone without a certificate, which is good news for farmers and landowners.
The RRP of the Matrice 200 is $8290, the 210 is $14,490, and the 220 is $23,990.
CR Kennedy is a major player in the mining, surveying and photo industries – DJI has chosen the ideal distribution partner in Australia, with existing links to its full spread of commercial and consumer prospects.